Jazz @ Emmanuel – January 12 – Yesterday and Tomorrow
Jazz @ Emmanuel begins the new year with “YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW.” Jazz @ Emmanuel seeks to stimulate, inspire, expose, teach, heal, comfort and connect those who attend. We always hope it will first be a celebration! Join us!
In January, when the holiday bustle is over and neither the weather nor the usual commitments are begging for our time and attention, we might choose to spend some time in quiet reflection. Looking over the YESTERDAYS of the year that has passed, and ahead to the TOMORROWS in year that awaits, can give us some grounding in the PRESENT.
YESTERDAY is, yes, over. But we can learn a lot from looking back – not to dwell on regrets or losses, but to gain perspective. Some things are only visible with distance.
Here are few questions to ask yourself according to 18 Questions for Year End Reflection
– What are three words that best describe the past year, and why?
– If I could travel back to the beginning of the year, what advice would I give myself?
– What’s the status of the goals I set last year? What have I learned about myself?
– Where did I most feel connected to God or see God in my life?
TOMORROW is another story! No, it is not guaranteed, but insights from looking back and setting goals for the future, helps us live more fully in the NOW.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
– What one word or phrase do I want to take with me into the year?
– What are my top 3-5 values that I want to honor?
– What would I look back on with relief, contentment, or satisfaction at the end of this year?
– If I were to really stretch my faith, what is my most audacious prayer?!
A little help from our friends at Living Compass…
At Emmanuel, we have been using the Living Compass materials, which explore this scripture from Mark 12:30-31 from many different angles.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.
HOW in the world are we to love God with our entire selves is the subject of Living Compass studies. Living Compass is a wellness program that helps us grow by helping us assess where we are now and where to focus so that we can approach our “TOMORROWS” from a spiritual perspective that aligns with our values and live our best life.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to start with the Living Compass Self-Assessment. Then at the end of the year, re-assess your YESTERDAYS see how far you have come!
As with any goal setting, there are some tried and true guidelines from a F.A.I.T.H. perspective.
F – FOCUSED
A – ACTION-ORIENTED
I – INSPIRED
T- TIME-SPECIFIC
H – HEARTFELT AND HONEST
“There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.” Hebrews 13:8
Start your new F.A.I.T.H. year off with Jazz @ Emmanuel – Yesterday and Tomorrow with Dr. “J” and ensemble!
🎶
Jazz @ Emmanuel
Where the spirited and the spiritual join in a new kind of celebration
as only Jazz at Emmanuel can.
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AS ALWAYS…
The Second Sunday of the Month, September – May
5 PM IN THE SANCTUARY
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NEXT MONTH – FEBRUARY 9
Love or Fear